NEWSHalle Berry & More React To 'Eve' Star Natalie Desselle-Reid's Tragic Death At 53
Actress Natalie Desselle-Reid has died from colon cancer at 53 years old. The sad news was announced on Monday, December 7, on Desselle-Reid’s Instagram page.
"It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning from colon cancer," the statement read. "She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife."
"Her diverse career touched so many and she will be loved forever," the statement continued. "Naturally, we are grieving and processing this profound loss and we thank you in advance for respecting our privacy at this extremely difficult time."
Friends and fans took to the comments section to mourn the late actress. B.A.P.S. costar Halle Berry wrote that she was "heartbroken."
"I will love her and her memory my whole life. May God bless her family and beautiful children. rest softly my sweet friend," she added. Only days before her death, Berry shared a throwback clip with Desselle-Reid, which showed them shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif. "Let’s find Tiffany," she captioned the clip.
"I’m praying for your family! Love and miss you Natalie," Kim Whitley wrote. “I will miss your awesome spirit my home town friend. Rest in heavenly power,” Faith Ford said.
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Desselle-Reid is best known for her roles in Eve, Madea's Big Happy Family and the 1997 retelling of Cinderella.
Fans and loved ones also posted tributes to Desselle-Rein on Twitter. Her manager, Delores Robinson, wrote that her client was "a bright light. She was an amazing actress and comedienne but also an awesome mother & wife."
Robinson’s daughter, Holly Robinson Peete, chimed in, writing, "Just absolutely decimated by this news ... Actress Natalie Desselle, a bright shining star passed away this morning. I got to know her when my mom was managing her. She will be so missed ... sending out prayers to her children and husband. Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl."
Netflix Content Executive Jasmyn Lawson shared that she "reached out to Natalie Desselle-Reid exactly one year ago to book her for Strong Black Legends. She was one of the most requested guests. She didn't respond (I assumed she wanted privacy). But hopefully, she knows that we considered her a LEGEND."
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Desselle-Reid kept her diagnosis to herself and used her social media to spread positivity in the weeks leading up to her death. Her last Instagram post on Sunday, December 6, read: "Sunday is the perfect day to refuel your soul and to be grateful for each and every one of your blessings." She captioned the post, "Remember, you are Blessed!" with a yellow heart. "Refuel your Soul."
Desselle-Reid also paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman after he passed away from the same illness in August. "He will never be forgotten! Chadwick Boseman Rest In Peace Black King Heaven Forever!!!" she wrote on Instagram at the time.
Desselle-Reid is survived by her husband, Leonard, and her three children — Sereno, Summer and Sasha.
We’re thinking of Desselle-Reid’s family during this difficult time.
